"Ah, I was about to send someone to look for you. It's good that you're here already." Lucius returned to his tent and found Kiana waiting for him.
Lucius momentarily took note of Kiana's condition and as expected found her to be in good shape.
"I'm glad that you came back unharmed." She said with a smile.
The two of them hadn't last seen each other except during the start of the battle, before the two went their own separate ways.
Unlike him who took a more pivotal role during the battle on the front lines, Kiana only needed to stay at a certain position to attack enemy soldiers and didn't need to approach.
Lucius really didn't need to worry about her, and would be more disappointed if she ended up injured. Seeing that there was nothing amiss, he could continue with his plans uninterrupted.
"We'll be leaving at once," Lucius said.
"What happened?" Kiana's brows furrowed together. "The soldiers I questioned earlier said that one of the nurses accompanied you here to be treated. When I came into your tent, no one was here."
"Oh, that." Lucius shook his head. "That was merely a method to lure that spy away from the others and corner her here."
Kiana's eyes widened and she looked at him with even more worry. A great amount of guilt struck her and she wished that she had been around during that time, even if Asher was completely safe.
"There was a spy, Asher?" Kiana asked with concern.
"Yes, she wished to infiltrate the camp and mark our notable soldiers to either be abducted or killed." Lucius informed her. "She's working with various mercenary groups."
"Where is she now?" Kiana's expression turned cold. The thought of a vile wench trying to threaten the Inanis Family, and especially Asher was enough to make her blood boil. "Who are these groups?"
In comparison, Lucius was far more relaxed, if not just more concentrated on getting things done as soon as possible.
He actually disliked the fact that he had to repeat the story twice now and wanted to carry on at once, but patiently replied.
"That is something for us to discover. As for the location of our spy, she is currently with the Masked Legion and we shall be bringing her back to the laboratory for an interrogation. I've gotten permission from father already."
"I see." Kiana said and stood up. "I'll arrange our transportation at once then. Will we be heading to the laboratory right away? I think it will be also good to visit the Countess, present that you are safe and deliver the good news."
Lucius sighed inwardly. He would much rather avoid the social necessities of presenting himself to Countess Lita, but it did make sense for a son to do it.
It would seem more suspicious if he didn't.
"I actually did have that in mind as well." Lucius lied. "I'm sure that mother is eager to hear the news."
Kiana smiled, relieved to hear that. She knew that there was a lot to be done, especially with the spy being discovered.
However, there always seemed to be something happening around Asher. Or rather, Asher made sure that there was much for him to accomplish.
If Kiana couldn't convince Asher to rest, the Countess would surely want her son to do and he would be more obliged.
Even though Asher proved himself to be incredibly competent, Kiana couldn't help but be concerned for the young lord's well-being from time to time.
"Okay, I'll take my leave and return shortly once everything is prepared," Kiana said before she left Lucius by himself.
As promised, it didn't take Kiana that long to gather up Asher's personal guards alongside their transportation.
Lucius also brought in the Masked Legion, sending them their orders to travel separately and to deliver Nurse June as well.
It was with this group that Lucius returned shortly after to the Inanis territory. Once they arrived at the mansion, it was none other than Countess Lita herself who personally rushed to welcome them.
"My son!" Countess Lita's eyes brimmed with tears. Even though she had full confidence in her husband and son's abilities, the Countess couldn't help but still worry.
But now that she saw that Asher was safe, her concerns were relieved.
"We've returned with good news, mother." Lucius inclined his head.
"I know." Countess Lita smiled. "I'm glad that you are back. Surely you are exhausted or fatigued? Do you wish to rest immediately in your chambers? Were all of your injuries treated?"
"He is in perfect condition," Kiana reassured the Countess.
"I see, I see. Well, it still makes sense for both of you and everyone who's arrived to rest a little. The chefs are already preparing a nourishing feast as well. Rest a little and perhaps inform me of what transpired."
Countess Lita was looking for news, and though she wished that her husband was back already as well, she understood that there were reasons that kept him back with the army.
Lucius knew that the quickest way to head back to his laboratory was to satisfy the desires of his 'mother' for a while, and thus he spent about two hours accomplishing everything that would get the Countess' back off him.
The young lord Asher rested, ate and told stories about what happened on the battlefield alongside Kiana at the dining hall.
He also asked for any notable updates regarding the brewery, and what transpired during the time that he was gone and listened to the stories that his mother wanted to inform him.
As for the personal guards of the young lord, Lucius gave them the chance to rest and recuperate from their battle while the Masked Legion headed back to the re-education center.
Once everything was in order and Countess Lita insisted that Lucius head back into his chambers and rest, it was there that Lucius finally took his leave.
Lucius wasn't going to be interrupted for a while and so he headed to the laboratory.